Random Thoughts After Disaster Strikes

COMMENTS

I’ve missed our time together.  Even though I never really know if or when you read this, I feel connected to you ;-).  This is Wednesday, but I don’t know when this will actually get posted because our internet has been out since Sunday night, when we were hit by a tornado that roared through our area without warning.  We’ve sustained damage to our house and property, and many trees are down; but we’re unharmed, blessed, and thankful to our Heavenly Father for the grace He’s shown us. 

Three people were killed within a half mile of us.  Since we live in the country where houses are a good distance apart, that’s more like a city block.  Those deaths are sad and sobering and make me truly recognize how fragile and precious life really is.  It could have been us; but I suppose He has more for us to do before He takes us home.

One of my grandchildren told me, “It’s like there was a shield over your house.”  When I look at the trees that were taken down immediately in front and immediately in back of the house, it’s obvious that He did have a shield around us.  The house is standing, solid, and livable.  The damage can be repaired.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your protection.  And if He had chosen to take us on Sunday night, I would have been grateful for that protection, as well—when we’re with Him, no more evil can touch us!

As in all things, my Lord used this opportunity as a teaching point; and I learned something about myself through this experience:  I tend to sugarcoat reality.  That’s different from being thankful.  You can stare reality in the face yet still be thankful.  It took 24 hours and a comment by a deputy sheriff about disaster services that are available to make me realize that I was not facing the truth.  When people asked how we were and what happened, I’d tell them about the results—the roof damage, the trees down, the torn up fences, etc.—ending with how blessed and thankful we are; but mentally, I denied the fact that we had been hit by a tornado and are living in a disaster area.  The things I said were true, but I didn’t want to face the fact that I was a tornado victim.

As I pondered all of this, I realized that’s a pattern for me.  Why?  More pondering….

1.     I don’t like the word “victim”.  It makes me sound weak and defeated.

2.     I don’t want to have a “victim” mentality.

3.     I don’t want to be someone who makes a big deal and blows things out of proportion.

4.     I don’t want to be the center of attention.

5.     It’s fun to give aid to someone else but hard to receive it myself.

6.     I want to be positive and optimistic, not negative and pessimistic.  I’ve been under the misguided opinion that “positive and optimistic” doesn’t admit the bad stuff is really bad stuff (except to my closest friends, and then I feel like a complainer—see #3).

Jesus lived in reality.  He spoke all of the truth—even the negative.  I’ve never heard anyone call Him a complainer!  James 1:4 says that our goal is to be “mature and complete”.  How can I be complete if I ignore a big part of reality?

Being a victim doesn’t mean that I’m defeated or that I can’t be a victor, a survivor.  It simply means something happened to me.  I can be a victim without having a “victim” mentality.  I can be a victim without blowing it out of proportion or trying to be the center of attention.  I can be a gracious victim who allows others the blessing of being the giver, even as I’m blessed by receiving.  And I can be a victim and still be positive and optimistic.  I can be a victim who survives and overcomes through the power of the Holy Spirit, a victim with a grateful heart to my Savior, Protector, Provider, and Sustainer.

Who I Am In Christ: Verses

This is who Jesus Christ says I am:

I am God’s child.  John 1:12
 

I am Christ’s friend.  John 15:15

I have been justified.  Romans 5:1

I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him.  1 Cor. 6:17

I have been bought with a price.  I belong to God. 1 Cor. 6:19,20

I am a member of Christ’s body.  1 Cor. 12:27

I am a saint.  Eph. 1:1

I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.  Eph. 2:18

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.  Col. 1:14

I am free forever from condemnation.  Rom. 8:1,2

I am assured that all things work together for good because I love God and am called according to HIS purpose.  Rom. 8:28

I am free from any condemning charges against me.  Rom. 8:31f

I cannot be separated from the love of God.  Rom. 8:35f

I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.  2 Cor. 1:20-22

I am hidden with Christ in God.  Col. 3:3

I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected.  Phil. 1:6

I am a citizen of heaven.  Phil. 3:20

I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.  2 Tim. 1:7
 

I can find grace and mercy in time of need.  Heb. 4:16

I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.  1 John 5:18

I am the salt and light of the earth.  Matt. 5:13,14

I am a branch of the true Vine.  John 15:1,5

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.  John 15:16

I am Christ’s personal witness.  Acts 1:8

I am God’s temple.  1 Cor. 3:16

I am God’s co-worker.  2 Cor. 6:1

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.  Eph. 2:6

I am God’s workmanship.  Eph. 2:10

I may approach God with freedom and confidence.  Eph. 3:12

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Phil. 4:13


And if you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, YOU are all these things as well!  Believe Him!

James 1:9-12: Another Look

COMMENTS

Have you ever noticed how perfect God’s timing is?  On Friday, we looked at James 1:9-12; and He spoke to me what seemed to be an unusual lesson to come from these verses:  recognizing and accepting who I am in Christ.  Friday night and yesterday, my granddaughter stayed with me (big smile!) so I didn’t write a blog post.  No need to feel guilty—God wanted me to see something today that would expand on what He said Friday.

 

NOTES

I don’t feel well today, so I stayed home from church.  Not wanting to miss hearing a pastor’s message, I turned on the TV.  First, I watched Dr. Charles Stanley on InTouch (love that guy!).  Immediately following that broadcast, Andy Stanley came on.  (Being curious, I looked it up; and he’s Charles Stanley’s son.)  By the time, his message was over, I knew that it needed to be the subject of today’s blog.

Andy was speaking to a large group of junior high students.  The subject was labels.  Now, having been a victim of labels for at least half my life, this caught my attention.  As I listened, I realized that what he was saying fit perfectly with what our Lord had spoken to me in my last posting.

I’m extremely suspicious that there are many adults walking around out there who are still struggling as a result of labels that were put on them in their childhood and teenage years.  Dumb.  Ugly.  Uncoordinated.  Unpopular.  That list can go on and on.  They see themselves in the wrong light and don’t accomplish what they could/should because they believe the labels, feel like failures, and don’t try.

But don’t some also struggle as a result of positive labels?  Smart.  Beautiful.  Great athlete.  Popular.  Etc., etc., etc.  Isn’t it possible that they believed that their brains, beauty, athleticism, or popularity would open doors that stayed closed?

When we believe those labels, we’re giving the ones who put those labels on us power over us.  We’re telling them they’re our bosses.

The bottom line of Andy’s message was that God, who made us, bought us, and owns us is the only one who has the right to label us.  As we discovered in the last post, he says that we’re all equal before Him.  In Scripture, He’s also given us many other identifiers:  God’s child, Christ’s friend, redeemed, forgiven, free from condemnation, chosen.  These are just a few.  If you’re interested in reading more, I’ll attach a separate post that you can check out; but remember, no list can possibly be complete!  The most important thing for me to remember is that GOD LOVES ME!  He loves me more than I can even begin to imagine.  How can I dwell on the labels people gave me, my imperfections, or my incompleteness (James 1:4) when I focus on that?  Even as He accepts me as I am, He challenges me to be better.  His love for me makes me want to change—to mature—into a daughter who pleases Him.

Here’s a link to that message if you’d like to watch it. 

http://yourmove.is/watch/youll-be-glad-you-did/1/

If the link doesn’t work, go to http://yourmove.is and watch “You’ll Be Glad You Did, Pt 1:  Label Maker".  There are 3 other parts, for a total of 4.

James 1:9-12

COMMENTS

The Bible is full of passages that, on the surface, seem to have nothing to do with the passages around them.  They seem to be just thrown in randomly.  Yet, my God is a God of order, not chaos; so, I’ve come to believe that those passages require extra thought, extra prayer, and extra contemplation because He put them there for a reason.  One such passage is in today’s reading.

 

NOTES

At first glance, James 1:9-11 seems to have nothing to do with what James has been talking about.  Earlier in verses 2-8, he discussed perseverance under trial, its goal of maturity, and how God will meet my need for wisdom if I ask without doubting.  In verse 12 he goes back to the subject of perseverance.  However, seemingly unrelated thoughts are thrown in between the two discussions.  I had to read and re-read this a number of times and cover those readings with prayers and petitions for Him to show me how the verses fit.  Even now, my thoughts are “wispy”, not completely formed.  But here’s a stab at explaining what I believe the Lord is saying.

In verses 9-11, James addresses the “brother in humble circumstances” and the “one who is rich”.  His descriptions, though, are upside down from how the world thinks of people in these two classes:  the humble man has a high position and the rich man has a low position.  Doesn’t it take Godly wisdom to view earthy things from a heavenly standpoint?  And when this is me we’re talking about, all my history and insecurities get involved!  It’s easy for me to look at someone else in humble circumstances and tell them they have just as much value as the rich guy sitting a few seats over.  But when we’re talking about me, all my old insecurities start screaming at me and reminding me how unworthy I am.  The only way I overcome that is by receiving the wisdom God offers and not doubting His word.

Often, the poor man is dealing with issues of self-worth.  Often, the rich man is dealing with pride.  (Notice that I said “often”!  Not everyone in these categories fit those descriptions.)  Did you notice that extra words are given to the rich man?  He is reminded that he’s going to die and that all his riches will be destroyed.  Both men need wisdom to recognize who they really are in Christ.  They are both loved, and they are equal.

The other thought I had is that going through the process of recognizing, accepting, and living as who I really am in Christ is one of the trials I face.  It’s not an easy thing for a poor person to learn to value herself.  It’s, also, not an easy thing for a rich person whose value and self-esteem are based on those riches to think less of herself.  The lowly is raised up; the high is brought low.  They are on level ground when they stand before their Maker.  And He rewards them with the “crown of life” that he “promised to those who love him” (verse 12).

So, I ask God for wisdom as I persevere through my trials (including the one of recognizing who I am in Christ); and when I have passed the test, He gives me the crown of life because He promised to give it to me if I love Him.

Hallelujah!

James 1:4-8

COMMENTS

In the last discussion, I realized that I didn’t get to the last phrase in verse 4; but I left it because it fit well with the next few verses.

 

NOTES

In James 1:4, James told me that I should persevere so that I can be “mature and complete”.  The next phrase seems to expand on that:  “not lacking anything”.  Doesn’t it seem obvious that if I’m “complete”, I’m “not lacking anything”?  I mean, if I lack something, I’m not complete.  Right?  But “perseverance must finish it work”, so I’m not there yet.  I’m not yet “complete”.

What’s interesting is how that thought is continued in the following verse.  Of all the things I lack that he could choose to specify, James chooses wisdom.  He says that if I ask God for wisdom, He’ll give it to me.

My thoughts immediately flew to Solomon.  You can find this story in 1 Kings 3:5-14.  God told Solomon to ask for anything.  He asked for “a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong”—wisdom.  God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that He also gave him riches and honor.

This passage tells me that God wants to give me wisdom, too.  It says all I have to do is ask!  But then James attaches a warning:

“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord…”

I’ll be honest, that qualifier seems to put this out of my reach.  I want to be full of faith and never doubt, but doubt creeps in.  Why?  Maybe it’s because I feel so unworthy, so undeserving of His favor.  But the statement was NOT that He’ll give it if I deserve it; it was that He’ll give it if I ask for it and trust that He keeps His word. 

1 Samuel 16:7b tells us that “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  So, what does my heart look like?  My heart, even when it doubts, longs NOT to doubt!  My heart longs to be like Jesus and to please Him.  Maybe the doubter James is talking about here is someone who wavers back and forth in his/her commitment to Him—today, she longs to please Jesus; tomorrow, she could care less about Him and longs only to please herself.  I’m just thinking here—maybe I’ve oversimplified it or missed the mark completely because sometimes I can be pretty self-centered.  But I sincerely believe that the “not doubting” has something to do with my heart condition.

Perhaps, before I pray for wisdom I should be like the father in Mark 9:24 who brought his son to Jesus to be healed.  This was his prayer:

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

 

James 1:1-4

COMMENTS

The Book of James is a wonderful book, one of the “General Letters” addressed to all Christians, not to a specific church.  What I like about James is that it’s so practical.  We all need “theology” and to know what we believe and why; but James, like Paul, shows us how to live out our faith.  I’m anxious to hear what our Lord has to say.

 

NOTES

After the short one-verse introduction, James jumps right in with both feet:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…”  (James 1:2)

I don’t know about you; but facing trials isn’t one of my favorite things to do, so it’s not a joyful thing for me to anticipate.  But look at the wording; I’m to consider it “pure joy”!  Now, when I think of pure joy, I think of my grandchildren or a beautiful day or chocolate.  Honestly, it would never occur to me to add difficult times or situations to that list.

James, however, says that it should be on the list.  Why?  Here is another Biblical cause-and-effect lesson for us.  We don’t enjoy the trials for their own sake but “because…the testing of [my] faith develops perseverance” (Verse 2).

Maybe I don’t want perseverance.  Maybe I’d rather just have a nice, easy life.  Why should I want to persevere?  Wait.  Verse 4 says that I must persevere so that “[I] may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”.  Well, I DO want to be mature and complete—Christ-like.  So, if I want to be like Christ, I must persevere through the trials that come my way in this life.

So, here’s the ultimate question:  Would I rather have an easy life or be like Jesus?

That’s a trick question because, really, no one is going to have a trouble-free life!  The real choice is whether I want to have a life in which I grumble and complain about my troubles OR have a life in which I surrender to my Lord and allow Him to make me better than I am.  That’s a life in which I am maturing and being “made complete”.

I wish that was a one-time decision; but it’s a decision I must make every time I face a new difficulty in my life.  Shouldn’t it be easy for the small things and difficult only for the major “disasters”?  That’s not the case for me.  I can be just as immature over the mess I have to clean up as I can over the rejection from someone I care about or the potentially life-altering health issue.

Some of your tests are similar to mine; some of them are much different and much more difficult.  But God’s instructions to us are the same:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers [and sisters], whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4

Private Time

There will be no blog today.  I have asked the Lord to reveal what He wants me to do.  After I read several different passages in several different books, He said, “Remember what I told you a couple of weeks ago?  Rest.”

So, today, He and I are spending some private time together.  I wonder if He wants you to do that, too.

Redundant?

April 20, 2014 – Sunday – Redundant?

 

COMMENTS

If I wasn’t convinced that this thought came from the Lord, I’d be worried about me.

 

NOTES

“Why is there a letter ‘C’?”

That was the crazy thought that popped into my head as I was getting ready for our Easter service this morning.  The next thought was, “Where did that come from?!”  Needless to say, it captured my thoughts; and I’ve been processing it for several hours.

“C” has no sound of its own.  It either sounds like “K” or “S”, so why don’t we just use those letters.  “C” seems unnecessary.  Why does it exist?  Here are some “C” words:

Crucify, as in the price my Savior paid for me.

Carried, as in what Jesus did with the weight of all my sin.

Celebrate, as in my reaction to my Savior's resurrection!

Circumstances, as in those situations that no longer control me.

Cease, as in what happens to my striving when I rest in the Lord.

Crowns, as in the reward God has for me in Glory.
 

 

What would they look like if “C” didn’t exist?

Krucify

Karried

Selebrate

Sircumstances

Sease

Krowns

 

I guess those spellings would work just as well, but they don’t have the same zing.  They just don’t look right.  The words are just not the same.

Do you feel unnecessary?  Or redundant?  Do you feel that what you are doing could be done just as well by someone else?  Maybe even better?

God created you, and He created you for a purpose.  Someone else might be able to do what God called you to do, but it just wouldn’t look right.  It wouldn’t be the same.

Rejoice in the Lord!  Praise His Holy Name because “[you are] fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).  And it was no accident!  This is what the Lord says to you:

“For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Easter Blessings

As you consider the love our Lord showed you during that Holy Week so long ago, I pray that you receive His forgiveness, wonder at His sacrifice, walk in his acceptance, and rejoice in His redemption.  And that you, as you become more and more like Him, pass those same gifts to others.

 

HAVE A JOYFUL, THANKFUL, AND BLESSED EASTER!

 

 

Philemon: An Easter Story

COMMENTS

I had a hard time sleeping last night.  As I lay awake, my mind was seeking what Bible book the Lord would have me study next.  I had been thinking about Philemon for a few days, but I didn’t know why.  Last night, He confirmed it and gave me this title.  I can’t wait to find out what He says and how He ties this to the Easter story!

NOTES

As I read the book of Philemon, I caught little glimpses—whispers—of things that could be related to the traditional story of Easter.  But my thoughts didn’t really gel, and I had to leave for the Good Friday service at church.  Throughout the day, what I read in Philemon and what I heard at the service have percolated and solidified.  Had the Lord not revealed this to me, I NEVER would have seen it!

Philemon was a leader of the church at Colosse.  Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, had stolen money from him and run away to Rome, where he met Paul and became a Christian. Paul wrote this letter to Philemon, entreating him to receive Onesimus, forgive him, and accept him as a brother in Christ instead of a slave.

As Paul pointed out in verse 14, Philemon had free will in making the decision.  He could choose not to forgive.  I mean, Onesimus had wronged him.  He had stolen; and then, he had run away.  Philemon could have justly doled out severe punishment for either or both.

What is the Easter story?

Is it not one of forgiveness and sacrifice, acceptance and redemption?

At the cross, Jesus had a choice.  He chose to follow God’s plan and made it possible for me to be forgiven.  He sacrificed His own body for me.  He accepted me and secured my redemption.

How many times have I chosen to act “justly” rather than to forgive?  Can’t forgiveness actually be an act of sacrifice?  I sacrifice my right to be treated fairly and, instead, choose to forgive.  And it IS a choice.  My flesh usually runs to the “fair treatment” scenario; but the Spirit challenges me, as Paul did Philemon, to choose relationship instead.

Did Philemon forgive Onesimus?  Did he sacrifice his right to be treated fairly, to punish the run-away slave?  Did Philemon accept him?  Did he provide redemption to Onesimus?  We aren’t told.  But Paul seemed quite confident that he would choose the right thing.

Lord, help me always to choose the right thing….

Philippians: A Review

COMMENTS

Well, at least for now, our study of Philippians is done.  No doubt, there are other lessons to be learned when the Lord chooses to reveal them.  At this point, though, I feel compelled to go back through this book.  My heart tells me there’s an over-arching theme that He wants me to see before He takes me somewhere else.  Reveal it to me, Lord, I pray….

 

NOTES

As I go back through the four chapters of Philippians, it becomes quite clear to me that seven elements are repeated in each chapter—seven familiar elements:   Christ-likeness, love, joy, gentleness, lack of anxiety, prayer, and thankfulness.  I thought about listing examples from every chapter, but that would make this missive extremely long.  I challenge you to take that list and search the chapters.  Most of the time, the elements are quite obvious.  Occasionally, you have to observe the tone or read the undercurrents; but they’re there.

So, what is God through Paul trying to say?  There’s a lot of “meat” in this book.  There are many examples of and instructions about how we should conduct our lives.  However, these are not rules for us to follow blindly.  They are there to lead us to our ultimate goal.

If I love,

If I rejoice,
If I am gentle,
If I am not anxious
If I pray, and
If I am thankful

THEN,

I will be Christ-like.

Not easy to accomplish, but what a glorious goal!

Philippians 4:9-23

COMMENTS

Yesterday’s passage ended with a verse that I did not address; but as I study today’s verses, I find it necessary to go back to it.

I’ve always felt it odd that Paul frequently tells his readers to watch him and to do what he does.  That always seemed arrogant and self-serving from my point of view, but I had to admit that it didn’t seem that our righteous God would give us an arrogant man as an example.  Paul wrote most of the New Testament, and these are inspired writings.  So, I am forced to reevaluate my conclusions.

 

NOTES

In verse 9, Paul tells the Philippians to copy him—to watch him and do as he does.  And he’s very specific about this:  whatever he taught them, whatever they received from him, whatever they heard from him, whatever they saw in him, they were to “put into practice”.  In verses 10-20 Paul displays the attributes he told them about in verses 4-7:

Be JOYFUL.  Verse 10 starts with Paul once again speaking of how he rejoices (“greatly” this time) in the Lord.

Be GENTLE.  As we read these verses, we find that Paul is very gentle with the Philippians.  He is kind and encouraging and loving.

Don’t be ANXIOUS.  In verse 11, he “[has] learned to be content whatever the circumstances”.  In verse 12, he "[has] learned the secret of being content in any and every situation”.

Be PRAYERFUL.  In verse 13, Paul says, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”  Where does that strength come from?  From prayer!

Be THANKFUL.  This passage is filled with gratitude for and recognition of what the Christians in Philippi have done for Paul.  Verse 10:  “you have renewed your concern” and “you have been concerned”.  Verse 14:  “you…share in my troubles”.  Verse 15:  “not one church shared with me…except you only”.  Verse 16:  “you sent me aid again and again when I was in need”.   Verse 18:  “I am amply supplied, now that I have received…the gifts you sent.”  And, though this gratitude is expressed to the Philippians, there is an undercurrent of gratitude to God, a recognition that He was the true provider, as he tells them in verse 19 that “God will meet all your needs”.

If you look at Paul’s teaching yesterday, these are the same elements he spoke about.

The reason Paul can tell us to emulate him is that, by the power of the Spirit, he is emulating Christ.  Lord, help me to do the same.

Philippians 4:4-9

COMMENTS

Don’t you just love how our Lord works?  Saturday, “funk” day, He gave me just what I needed in Philippians 4:4-7; but He had more for me to learn in that passage.  Today, he took me back there again.  Isn’t that further evidence of what we know?  Evidence that He has so many lessons in His Word that we can never see them all!

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  (Lamentations 3:22-23)

NOTES

As I read the first section of this passage, the Lord revealed to me who I am to BE.

I am to be JOYFUL.  --Verse 4:  “Rejoice” is stated twice in one verse, once with an exclamation point!

I am to be GENTLE.  –Verse 5.   That gentleness should “be evident to all”.  A note I’ve made in my Bible defines “gentle” as being open and magnanimous to others.

I am NOT TO BE ANXIOUS.  –Verse 6.  Interesting that this is the only one stated in the negative.  That must tell us something about our propensity for anxiety….

I am to be PRAYERFUL.  –Verse 6.  We are to present our prayers and petitions to God.  Prayer is more than just asking God for stuff and/or intervention in our circumstances!

I am to be THANKFUL.  –Verse 6.  This gratitude is not just a general thankfulness but, specifically, a gratitude that is expressed to God Himself.

What is the result of being this kind of person?

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:7)

However, Paul doesn’t stop here.  Having just told us that God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds, he speaks more to the issue of our thoughts; specifically, of what those thoughts should consist.  This may be the biggest battle of all!  My mind should focus only on what’s:

True

Noble
Right
Pure
Lovely
Admirable
Praiseworthy

I don’t know about you, but my mind goes—seemingly uncontrollably—to things that don’t fall into those categories!  Well, actually, my mind is pretty much uncontrollable to me.  So I go back to who I must BE.  Ultimately, I can only BE and THINK in a Christ-like way when I’m totally surrendered to Jesus Christ and filled with and living under the control of the Holy Spirit.  How in the world can I do that?  Day by day—no!—minute by minute—no!—second by second surrender to the One Who lives in me.

Philippians 4:2-7

COMMENTS

Today I’m in a bit of a funk.  I didn’t sleep well last night, but I don’t really have any reason to be down.  My life is incredibly blessed.  Being in a funk seems like the height of ingratitude.  But my God is ever faithful—look at the passage He gave me today ;-).

 

NOTES

“Rejoice!”

“The Lord is near.”
“Do not be anxious about anything…”
“…the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Those are the words that the Holy Spirit whispered and shouted to me this morning.  Words I needed to hear.  God is there; no, God is here.  He holds me in His arms and caresses me, even when, really, nothing is wrong.  I just need Him today, so He comes.

Thank you, my sweet Lord.  I rest in your arms.

Philippians 3:12 - 4:1

COMMENTS

I want to be like Jesus.  But do I want that more than I want to be thin, or pretty, or have nice things, or etc., etc., etc.?  Which do I spend my time thinking about?  Which is more likely to be the force behind my decisions today?  Does it bother me more when I eat a big piece of cake with ice cream or when I spend little or no time with my God?  Yikes, Lord….

NOTES

Having just finished his discourse on knowing Christ and expressing his desire to be like Jesus, Paul now quickly states that he’s not there yet.  (Boy, can I identify with that.)  However, he’s not discouraged.   In verse 13 he says that he’s “forgetting what is behind”—his hopes in a false salvation (works) and his failure to please God, even to the point of persecuting God’s church.  Instead, he is motivated to pursue the goal of Christ-likeness even harder.  In verse 12 he “presses on”; in verse 13 he is “straining toward”; in verse 14 he “press[es] on toward” what God has for him.  Those are not casual verbs; they are action verbs implying strong actions, strong motivations.

I particularly like verse 12:

“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

This verse clearly states that God has a purpose for my life.  When He “took hold” of me, He had something or somethings in mind.  Clearly, some of them are specified in the previous verses, but I believe that He has specific ideas in mind for me alone.  I need to pursue them as intensely as Paul did.

Finally, in verses 18 and 19 Paul weeps for those who do not know Christ.  He says they are “enemies of the cross of Christ”.  Their destiny, what they worship, and that in which they take pride are all worth nothing.  They are earthly things—hay and stubble that will be burned up at the judgment.  No wonder Paul was in tears—such loss!  He ends this section of his letter on a joyful note, however, reminding us that we have heaven and a Savior and that we will—one day—have glorious bodies like His.

If that’s not motivation to “stand firm in the Lord” (4:1), I don’t know what is!

Philippians 3:7-11

COMMENTS

Paul was an amazing Christian.  I am so far below his level of spiritual maturity that, were it not that salvation is through faith alone, I couldn’t even be called a Christian.  But Paul is not my standard; Jesus Christ is.  That’s an even more daunting level to attain.  What’s amazing is that He does the work, even in that.  As Paul told us in Chapter 1 Verse 6:

“…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Baby steps, Brenda!

NOTES

Paul now dismisses and pretty much discards references to salvation by works (except for verse 9).  Formerly, he placed all his “bets” on that failed system.  Now he says that was “loss” (v. 7, 8) and “rubbish” (v. 8).  So, what is now worth his time, worth his life?  “Knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (v. 8).  One of the things that stood out to me as I studied this is that Paul doesn’t say “knowing Christ Jesus AS my Lord”, he says “knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”.  He wanted more than a savior—he wanted a relationship with the one who saved him!  That theme is repeated in verse 10:  “I want to know Christ….”  Is relationship with Him a priority for me?  Am I living my life with that as my goal, or am I just looking for fire insurance?  Do I consider that as I plan my day and go about my daily activities?  Unfortunately, far too often, I don’t.

Paul, however, took it even further.  He wasn’t content with simply having a relationship with Jesus Christ; he wanted to know and experience everything as Christ did:

1.     The power of Christ’s resurrection

2.     The fellowship of sharing in His suffering

3.     Becoming like Him in His death

4.     Attaining to the resurrection from the dead

Folks, that takes this to a whole new level!  I can fairly easily say that I want relationship with Jesus.  I can even say that I want to know the power of His resurrection and to attain the resurrection from the dead.  But if I’m honest, I cannot say that I want to share in His suffering; and the only way I want to become like Him in death is to be raised from it!

I remind you all at this point that I’m not a theologian.  No doubt, I’ve missed some very important things in these verses that I would know if I were.  But I know enough to know that I’m not there yet; and the thought of being there is a little scary to me.

Yet, deep inside is that desire—that HUNGER—to be just like Him.  I’m so far from that; but Lord, don’t give up on me; carry your good work in me to completion.

Philippians 3:4-6

COMMENTS

Philippians is such a short book that I expected to complete it quickly and move on to another book.  I’m surprised—and delighted!—to find that the Lord is revealing so much to me in this already-familiar book.  Some things are new to me; some are “old” but are being taken to a new depth.  We only cover three verses today, but what an impact they’ve had on me!  I hope you find this as meaningful as I did.

NOTES

In these verses, Paul continues discrediting the salvation by works theology.  I’ve always thought he was arrogant to say that he had more reason than most to have confidence in works.  Today, I see this in a whole new light.  It’s not arrogant; it’s recognition, dare I say repentance, for the level of sin in which he existed/ participated.  Recognizing that caused me to take a new, more intense look at my own past.  If we’re honest, many of us Christians could say the same thing.  Were/are you legalistic, judgmental, proud of who you are—especially when you compare yourself with nonbelievers or even other believers?  I definitely was and, I’m sad to say, still am at times.

The Lord had me take 4b-6 and insert my own “credentials”.  I found it very sobering.  I wonder if He might have you do the same thing….

Philippians 3:4b-6 for Brenda

“If anyone thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  baptized at the age of 12, of strong Baptist origin; in regard to the law, attended church every time the doors opened; as for zeal, read my Bible every day and gave an offering every week so that I could check all the boxes on my offering envelope; as for legalistic righteousness, didn’t drink or smoke or cuss and looked down on those who did.”

One quick disclaimer here:  I happened to be Baptist.  I do not believe every Baptist has the same attitude—call it what it is, SIN—that I did.  Nor am I naïve enough to think that only a Baptist could have this problem.  Unfortunately, sin is universal and affects all humans of all or no denomination.

Okay, back to my commentary.  As the Lord revealed this to me, I realized that I, not Paul, was the arrogant one.  He, at least, recognized the deception and his sin.  I went happily along with mine, incorrectly categorizing him.  I’m so ashamed.

But the GOOD NEWS is that God is a forgiving God.  Now, I see the Truth.  I’ve repented and, praise His Holy Name (!), He has forgiven me.  Thank you, Jesus.

I have no other words for today.